Botanical/commercial classification Viola cornuta/Viola plant varietal denomination cv. ‘Sunvioki’

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is new  Viola cornuta  plant named ‘Sunvioki’, which is a vegetative propagated variety, developed by specific hybridization between ‘9V-39a’ and ‘Alpine Sun’. ‘Sunvioki’ has a spreading habit with very long stem. The plant height is low. The branching is abundant. Flowers are vertically oblong and very small. The color of flower is brilliant greenish yellow with vivid yellow eye. The plant has a high resistance to cold, pests and diseases.

Botanical/commercial classification: Viola cornuta/Viola Plant.

Varietal denomination: cv. ‘Sunvioki’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The genus of Viola is included in the family Violaceae, and has about 500 species of annuals, biennials, evergreen, and semi-evergreen and deciduous perennials found in varied habitats in temperature regions worldwide.

Each flower has 5 petals: a spurred lower petal, 2 lateral petals and 2 upward-facing upper petals.

Many cultivars within the genus are informally referred to as garden pansies. Violas are all derived from the complex hybridization of V.tricolour, V.lutea, V.cornuta, and other species.

Viola cornuta has played an important role in the development of garden violas and violettas as a result of cross breeding with the garden pansy, V. wittorockiana.

Viola cornuta is stem prostrate. Leaves are narrow to broad ovate, base cordate to truncate, margin deeply segmented.

The female parent used in the crossing for obtaining ‘Sunvioki’ was ‘9V-39a’ (not patented in the United States.

The pollen parent used in the crossing for obtaining of ‘Sunvioki’ is a commercial cultivar, ‘Alpine Sun’.

BREEDING PROCESS

Crossing between ‘9V-39a’ as female parent and ‘Alpine Sun’ as male parent was conducted in Shiga-ken, Japan, in April 2000. In May, seeds were obtained from the crossing. In August, three seedlings were selected in view of having highly spreading habit with yellow petals, and were propagated by cutting. A trial was carried out for those seedlings by flower potting and bedding from October 2001. One variety was selected in view of having long blooming time. The botanical characteristics of that plant were then examined, using similar varieties ‘Alpine Spring’ and ‘Violetto Lune’ for comparison. As a result, it was concluded that this Viola cornuta plant is distinguishable from any other variety, whose existence is known to us, and uniform and stable in its characteristics. Thenew variety of Viola cornuta plant was named ‘Sunvioki’.

This new and distinct variety of Viola cornuta plant, ‘Sunvioki’, was asexually reproduced by tissue culture and the homogeneity and stability thereof were confirmed. The new variety reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Viola cornuta plants, ‘9V-39a’ and ‘Alpine Sun’ are presently maintained at Shiga-ken, Japan.

DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the color-coding is in accordance with the Horticultural Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England (R.H.S.).

The botanical characteristics of the female parent plant ‘9V-39a’ used in the crossing of ‘Sunvioki’ are as follows.

-   Plant:     -   -   Stemmed or non-stemmed.—Stemmed.         -   Growth habit.—Spreading.         -   Height.—Approximately 9 cm.         -   Plant cover.—Approximately 49 cm. -   Stem:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 36 cm.         -   Branching.—Much.         -   Pubescence.—Present. -   Leaf:     -   -   Overall form.—Long oblong.         -   Apex form.—Acute.         -   Base form.—Acute.         -   Serrated, lobed or not.—Serrated or lobed.         -   Margin.—Serrated or slightly lobed.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.9 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.2 cm.         -   Color of upper surface.—Grayish olive green (near R.H.S.             137A).         -   Color of under surface.—Moderate yellow green (near R.H.S.             137C).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Leaf luster.—Lustrous.         -   Vein.—Distinct.         -   Petiole length.—Approximately 1.4 cm.         -   Stipule length.—Approximately 1.8 cm. -   Flower:     -   -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 7.5 cm.         -   Peduncle thickness.—Thin.         -   Peduncle color.—Strong yellow green (near R.H.S. 144B).         -   Flower form.—Vertically oblong.         -   Flowering direction.—Upward.         -   Longitudinal diameter.—Approximately 3.2 cm.         -   Horizontal diameter.—Approximately 3.0 cm.         -   Ruffle of petal margin.—Weakly ruffled.         -   Petal curving.—Very weak.         -   Petal number.—Single.         -   Flower color.—Single-colored.         -   Upper petal.—Form — Round. Size — Approximately 1.6×1.6 cm.             Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color — Pale yellow             green (near R.H.S. 157A). Blotch — Absent.         -   Side petal.—Form — Ovate. Size — Approximately 1.3×1.5 cm.             Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color — Pale yellow             green (near R.H.S. 157A). Blotch — Absent.         -   Lower petal.—Form — Cordate. Size — Approximately             1.9×1.9 cm. Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color —             Pale yellow green (near R.H.S. 157A). Blotch — Absent. Eye             color — Vivid reddish yellow (near R.H.S. 14A). Eye size —             Medium.         -   Thickness of petal.—Medium.         -   Spur length.—Longer than the sepal appendage.         -   Sepal.—Short.         -   Number of flowers.—Many. -   Seed:     -   -   Color.—Deep brown. -   Physical property:     -   -   Flowering time.—Late.         -   Fragrance.—Faint or weak.         -   Resistance.—Rain — Strong. Cold — Strong. Heat — Medium.             Disease — Strong. Pest — Strong.

The botanical characteristics of the male parent plant ‘Alpine Sun’ used in the crossing of ‘Sunvioki’ are as follows.

-   Plant:     -   -   Stemmed or non-stemmed.—Stemmed.         -   Growth habit.—Spreading.         -   Height.—Approximately 8 cm.         -   Plant cover.—Approximately 35 cm. -   Stem:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 25 cm.         -   Branching.—Much.         -   Pubescence.—Present. -   Leaf:     -   -   Overal form.—Long oblong.         -   Apex form.—Obtuse.         -   Base form.—Acute.         -   Serrated, lobed or not.—Serrated or lobed.         -   Margin.—Serrated or slightly lobed.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.1 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Color of upper surface.—Grayish olive green (near R.H.S.             137A).         -   Color of under surface.—Moderate yellow green (near R.H.S.             137C).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Leaf luster.—Matte.         -   Vein.—Apparent.         -   Petiole length.—Approximately 2.2 cm.         -   Stipule length.—Approximately 2.1 cm. -   Flower:     -   -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 8.0 cm.         -   Peduncle thickness.—Thin.         -   Peduncle color.—Strong yellow green (near R.H.S. 144B).         -   Flower form.—Vertically oblong.         -   Flowering direction.—Upward.         -   Longitudinal diameter.—Approximately 3.3 cm.         -   Horizontal diameter.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Ruffle of petal margin.—Flat.         -   Petal curving.—Weak.         -   Petal number.—Single.         -   Flower color.—Single-colored.         -   Upper petal.—Form — Round. Size — Approximately 1.1×1.0 cm.             Petal color — Self-colored. Ground color — Vivid yellow             (near R.H.S. 9B). Blotch — Absent.         -   Side petal.—Form — Ovate. Size — Approximately 1.2×1.0 cm.             Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color — Vivid yellow             (near R.H.S. 9B). Blotch — Absent.         -   Lower petal.—Form — Cordate. Size — Approximately             1.4×1.3 cm. Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color —             Vivid yellow (near R.H.S. 9A). Blotch — Absent. Eye color —             Vivid yellow (near R.H.S. 13A). Eye size — Small.         -   Thickness of petal.—Thin.         -   Spur length.—Longer than the sepal appendage.         -   Sepal.—Short.         -   Number of flowers.—Many. -   Seed:     -   -   Color.—Deep brown. -   Physical property;     -   -   Flowering time.—Late.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Resistance.—Rain — Medium. Cold — Strong. Heat — Medium.             Disease — Strong. Pest — Strong.

The botanical characteristics of the similar variety ‘Alpine Spring’ used for examination as a comparison are as follows.

-   Plant:     -   -   Stemmed or non-stemmed.—Stemmed.         -   Growth habit.—Spreading.         -   Height.—Approximately 8 cm.         -   Plant cover.—Approximately 35 cm. -   Stem:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 25 cm.         -   Branching.—Much.         -   Pubescence.—Present. -   Leaf:     -   -   Overal form.—Long oblong.         -   Apex form.—Obtuse.         -   Base form.—Acute.         -   Serrated, lobed or not.—Serrated or lobed.         -   Margin.—Serrated or slightly lobed.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.1 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Color of upper surface.—Grayish olive green (near R.H.S.             137A).         -   Color of under surface.—Moderate yellow green (near R.H.S.             137C).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Leaf luster.—Matte.         -   Vein.—Apparent.         -   Petiole length.—Approximately 2.2 cm.         -   Stipule length.—Approximately 2.1 cm. -   Flower:     -   -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 8.0 cm.         -   Peduncle thickness.—Thin.         -   Peduncle color.—Strong yellow green (near R.H.S. 144B).         -   Flower form.—Vertically oblong.         -   Flowering direction.—Upward.         -   Longitudinal diameter.—Approximately 3.3 cm.         -   Horizontal diameter.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Ruffle of petal margin.—Flat.         -   Petal curving.—Weak.         -   Petal number.—Single.         -   Flower color.—Single-colored.         -   Upper petal.—Form — Round. Size — Approximately 1.1×1.0 cm.             Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color — Brilliant             yellow green (near R.H.S. 2B). Blotch — Absent.         -   Side petal.—Form — Ovate. Size — Approximately 1.2×1.0 cm.             Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color — Vivid yellow             (near R.H.S. 9B). Blotch — Absent. Vein color — Dark reddish             purple (near R.H.S. 79A).         -   Lower petal.—Form — Cordate. Size — Approximately             1.4×1.3 cm. Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color —             Vivid yellow (near R.H.S. 9A). Blotch — Absent. Vein color —             Dark reddish purple (near R.H.S. 79A). Eye color — Vivid             yellow (near R.H.S. 13A). Eye size — Small.         -   Thickness of petal.—Thin.         -   Spur length.—Longer than the sepal appendage.         -   Sepal.—Short.         -   Number of flowers.—Many. -   Seed:     -   -   Color.—Deep brown. -   Physical property:     -   -   Flowering time.—Late.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Resistance.—Rain — Medium. Cold — Strong. Heat — Medium.             Disease — Strong. Pest — Strong.

The botanical characteristics of the similar variety ‘Violetto Lune’ used for examination as a comparison are as follows.

-   Plant:     -   -   Stemmed or non-stemmed.—Stemmed.         -   Growth habit.—Spreading.         -   Height.—Approximately 6 cm.         -   Plant cover.—Approximately 40 cm. -   Stem:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 26 cm.         -   Branching.—Much.         -   Pubescence.—Present. -   Leaf:     -   -   Overal form.—Long oblong.         -   Apex form.—Obtuse.         -   Base form.—Obtuse.         -   Serrated, lobed or not.—Serrated or lobed.         -   Margin.—Serrated or slightly lobed.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.2 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.6 cm.         -   Color of upper surface.—Grayish olive green (near R.H.S.             137B).         -   Color of under surface.—Moderate yellow green (near R.H.S.             137C).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Leaf luster.—Matte.         -   Vein.—Apparent.         -   Petiole length.—Approximately 1.3 cm.         -   Stipule length.—Approximately 2.0 cm. -   Flower:     -   -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 9.0 cm.         -   Peduncle thickness.—Thin.         -   Peduncle color.—Strong yellow green (near R.H.S. 144B).         -   Flower form.—Vertically oblong.         -   Flowering direction.—Horizontal.         -   Longitudinal diameter.—Approximately 3.4 cm.         -   Horizontal diameter.—Approximately 2.9 cm.         -   Ruffle of petal margin.—Flat.         -   Petal curving.—Weak.         -   Petal number.—Single.         -   Flower color.—Single-colored.         -   Upper petal.—Form — Round. Size — Approximately 1.9×1.9 cm.             Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color — Vivid yellow             (near R.H.S. 9A). Blotch — Absent.         -   Side petal.—Form — Round. Size — Approximately 1.2×1.1 cm.             Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color — Vivid yellow             (near R.H.S. 9A). Blotch — Absent.         -   Lower petal.—Form — Cordate. Size — Approximately             1.8×1.1 cm. Petal color — Single-colored. Ground color —             Vivid yellow (near R.H.S. 12A). Blotch — Absent. Eye color —             Vivid yellow (near R.H.S. 13A). Eye size — Small.         -   Thickness of petal.—Thin.         -   Spur length.—Longer than the sepal appendage.         -   Sepal.—Short.         -   Number of flowers.—Many. -   Seed:     -   -   Color.—Deep brown. -   Physical property:     -   -   Flowering time.—Late.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Resistance.—Rain — Medium. Cold — Strong. Heat — Medium.             Disease — Strong. Pest — Strong.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety of viola plant named ‘Sunvioki’, which is a vegetative propagated variety, has a spreading plant habit with very long epigeal stem. The plant height is low and the branching is abundant. The flowers of the new variety are vertically oblonged and very small, and the color of flower is brilliant greenish yellow with vivid yellow eye. The new variety has a high resistance to cold, pests and diseases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a photograph giving a partial view of the new variety of Viola cornuta plant ‘Sunvioki’ planted in pots.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of flowers of the new variety of Viola cornuta plant ‘Sunvioki’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical characteristics of this new and distinct variety of Viola cornuta plant named ‘Sunvioki’ are as follows. The plant was observed at Yokaich-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan. The plant was approximately seven months old and was grown in a 30 cm diameter container.

-   Plant:     -   -   Stemmed or non-stemmed.—Stemmed.         -   Growth habit.—Spreading.         -   Height.—Approximately 8 cm.         -   Plant cover.—Approximately 75 cm. -   Stem:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 45 cm.         -   Branching.—Abundant.         -   Pubescence.—Present.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 1.8 cm.         -   Color.—Near R.H.S. 144B. -   Leaf:     -   -   Overall form.—Long oblong.         -   Apex form.—Obtuse.         -   Base form.—Acute.         -   Serrated, lobed or not.—Serrated or lobed.         -   Margin.—Serrated or slightly lobed.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.7 cm.         -   Color of upper surface.—Grayish olive green (R.H.S. 137A).         -   Color of under surface.—Moderate yellow green (R.H.S. 137C).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Leaf luster.—Matte.         -   Vein.—Apparent.         -   Leaf venation color.—Near R.H.S. 144A.         -   Petiole length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Leaf petiole diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.         -   Leaf petiole color.—Near R.H.S. 143C.         -   Stipule length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Stipule shape (type).—Narrowly ovate pinnately parted.         -   Stipule width.—Approximately 0.6 to 0.8 cm.         -   Stipule color.—Upper side surface — Near R.H.S. 146B.             Underside surface — Near R.H.S. 146C. -   Flower:     -   -   Bud.—Shape — Lenticular. Length — Approximately 1.0-1.5 cm.             Diameter — Approximately 0.2 to 0.4 cm. Color — Near R.H.S.             2B.         -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 10.0 cm.         -   Peduncle diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Peduncle color.—Strong yellow green (near R.H.S. 144A).         -   Flower form.—Vertically oblong.         -   Flowering direction.—Upward.         -   Longitudinal diameter.—Approximately 3.5 cm.         -   Horizontal diameter.—Approximately 2.6 cm.         -   Flower depth.—Approximately 0.9 cm.         -   Ruffle of petal margin.—Weakly ruffled.         -   Petal curving.—Weak.         -   Number of petals per flower.—Five (two upper petals, two             side petals and one lower petal).         -   Flower color.—Single-colored.         -   Upper petal.—Size — Approximately 1.8×1.3 cm. Shape —             Obovate. Apex shape — Rounded. Base shape — Truncate. Margin             — Entire. Upper surface color — Near R.H.S. 5B, underside.             Surface color — Near R.H.S. 3B. Blotch — Absent.         -   Side petal.—Size — Approximately 1.3×1.1 cm. Side petal             shape — Obovate. Apex shape — Rounded. Base shape —             Attenuate. Margin — Entire. Upper surface color — Near             R.H.S. 5A; Underside. Surface color — Near R.H.S. 3B. Blotch             — Absent.         -   Lower petal.—Size — Approximately 1.7×1.8 cm. Shape —             Cordate. Apex shape — Emarginate. Base shape — Cuneate.             Margin — Entire. Upper surface color — Near R.H.S. 5A;             Underside. Surface color — Near R.H.S. 3B. Blotch — Absent.             Eye color — Vivid yellow (Near R.H.S. 13A). Eye size —             Small.         -   Thickness of petal.—Thin.         -   Spur.—Length — Approximately 0.6 to 0.8 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.2 cm. Color — Near R.H.S. 157A.         -   Sepal.—Number — 5. Shape — Narrowly triangular. Length —             Approximately 1.8 cm. Width — Approximately 0.3 cm. Upper             surface color — Near R.H.S. 146C. Underside surface color —             Near R.H.S. 145B.         -   Number of flowers.—Approximately 120 flowers present on a             plant at one time.         -   Pedicel.—None. -   Seed:     -   -   Color.—Deep brown, near R.H.S. 165B.         -   Seed number.—Approximately 10 per capsule.         -   Seed shape.—Ellipsoidal. -   Physical property:     -   -   Flowering time.—From early November to June in Japan, except             for Hokkaido.         -   Time to produce.—Approximately four months.         -   Lastingness of an individual bloom on the             plant.—Approximately 5 to 7 days.         -   Fragrance.—Faint or weak.         -   Resistance to rain.—Medium.         -   Winter hardiness.—This variety has survived at a temperature             of at least minus 7° C.         -   Resistance to heat.—Medium.         -   Disease and pests.— No serious damage by white fly, aphids,             and bacterial disease has been observed.

This new variety of Viola cornuta plant ‘Sunvioki’ is most suitable for flower bedding and potting, hanging baskets and ground cover.

COMPARISON WITH SIMILAR VARIETY

The new variety of Viola cornuta plant ‘Sunvioki’ is different from a similar variety, ‘Alpine Spring’ in following points,

-   -   1. The plant width of ‘Sunvioki’ is wider than that of ‘Alpine         Spring’.     -   2. ‘Sunvioki’ has abundant branching compared to ‘Alpine Spring’         which has less branching.     -   3. The ruffle of petal margin of ‘Sunvioki’ is weakly ruffled         while that of ‘Alpine Spring’ is flat.     -   4. ‘Sunvioki’ has single-colored flower while ‘Alpine Spring’         has multi-colored one.     -   5. The color of upper petal of ‘Sunvioki’ is R.H.S.5B while that         of ‘Alpine Spring’ is R.H.S.2B.     -   6. The color of side petal of ‘Sunvioki’ is R.H.S.5A while that         of ‘Alpine Spring’ is R.H.S.9B with R.H.S.79A vein.     -   7. The color of lower petal of ‘Sunvioki’ is R.H.S.5A while that         of ‘Alpine Spring’ is R.H.S.9A vein.     -   8. The flowering time of ‘Sunvioki’ is early while that of         ‘Alpine Spring’ is late.

The new variety of Viola cornuta plant ‘Sunvioki’ is different from a similar variety, ‘Violetto Lune’ in following points,

-   -   1. ‘Sunvioki’ has abundant branching compared to ‘Violetto Lune’         which has less branching.     -   2. The leaf color of upper surface of ‘Sunvioki’ is R.H.S.137A         while that of ‘Violetto Lune’ is R.H.S.137B.     -   3. The color of upper petal of ‘Sunvioki’ is R.H.S.5B while that         of ‘Violetto Lune’ is R.H.S.9A.     -   4. The color of side petal of ‘Sunvioki’ is R.H.S.5A while that         of ‘Violetto Lune’ is R.H.S.9A.     -   5. The color of lower petal of ‘Sunvioki’ is R.H.S.5A while that         of ‘Violetto Lune’ is R.H.S.12A.     -   6. The flowering time of ‘Sunvioki’ is early while that of         ‘Violetto Lune’ is late. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Viola cornuta plant named ‘Sunvioki’, substantially as herein illustrated and described. 